Archive for the 'Prix Fixe Menus' Category

It is with absolutely no intended disrespect that I confess that my childhood impression of legendary Julia Child was that she…was a female impersonator; a male comic in pearls wielding a knife. My respect for her since then has dwarfed such a foolish notion. I have learned much from her remarkable gift for making cooking pleasurable and validating the fact that loving good food requires no pedigree or certification. I see Child as an inspiration for Pixar’s Ratatouille (2007). Think back where restaurant critic Anton Ego concludes: ” I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau’s famous motto, “Anyone can cook.” But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist *can* come from *anywhere*.” @PixarTalk Was it Julia Child who launched the modern foodie movement with her “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” cookbook and television show? Learning that August 7-15 was dubbed Julia Child Restaurant Week (by Knopf her publisher, of course) set me scrambling to celebrate.

This year marks her would-be 100th birthday (she passed in 2004). What better place to raise a glass to Julia Child’s contribution to foodies the world over than near her Pasadena upbringing, in Los Angeles. Okay, it’s a stretch but you want to hear why.
Los Angeles offers the experience of TAIX French Restaurant, where a special prix fixe menu features a Julia Child inspired meal. Savor your choice of signature dishes prepared a la Child: sole meuniere, boeuf bourguignon, or coq au vin. Your meal also includes an amuse-bouche, a salad or soup (TAIX vegetable soup is legendary), french bread (don’t expect sourdough), and a dessert of floating island. Order a glass of your favorite red wine and enjoy.

TAIX vegetable soup

TAIX opened in 1927 and relocated to its current location in 1962. Before you start out for 1911 W.Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026, note that you’ll be looking for the Glendale Blvd, Sunset Blvd. and Reservoir Street intersection in Echo Park region. Valet parking and atmosphere await you. The Julia Child menu is offered as a special only through August 15. TAIX is celebrating a milestone of their own, 85 years in business, and the roast chicken dinner is $10 but only Sunday through Friday until August 31. Make a reservation using @OpenTable and ask for Bernard.

“The French Chef” – PBS television series which created my first impression of this tall, jolly, alto-voiced chef – is available for viewing online at http://food.americanhistory.si.edu/. @PBSFood A reconstruction of her home kitchen which doubled as the actual tv show set is on display at the Smithsonian’s national Museum of American History. Although, according to the Wall Street Journal, it has been closed for renovations earlier this year, it will be open from August 15-September 3.

Meryl Streep channeled the bon vivant spirit of Julia Child in 2009 and won an Oscar for “Julie and Julia.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been hosting “Oscars Otdoors: Summer Film Series” this summer. By pairing food trucks (organized by @RoamingHunger) with with a outdoor picnic setting for weekend film screenings, the Academy has created a signature L.A. recipe for summer entertainment. The surprise addition and concluding film is “Julie and Julia” – not in keeping with Child’s 100th but in honor of fellow fearless creative femme, Nora Ephron. The film was adapted from the book of the same name where the author/blogger was inspired to fearlessly cook hr way through Child’s own cookbook. Fearlessness inspires art and this reason above all seems an ideal one to celebrate!
Bon Appetit!